Listen Now

We're so behind in getting these episodes up that this show is from...three years ago. This was back when we were still at Beverly Woods restaurant in July 2017. But this show still holds up. As for when The Frunchroom will return with new live shows, watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for more on that this week. For now, please welcome: * Cole Lavalais Writer, Teacher* Kathleen Leahy Educator, Writer, Intersectional Feminist, Occasional Bartender * Amara Enyia Policy wonk, Globetrotter, Athlete, Systems-thinker, Risk-taker * Lyletta Robinson Hoosier by birth, South Sider by choice * Nareman Taha Co-director/founder, Arab-American Family Services * Ernest Wilkins Cultural Anthropologist, Writer Recorded on July 20th, 2017 at Beverly Woods Restaurant. Audio production and editing by Tim Mata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith and the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

It's the next episode of The Frunchroom podcast...18 months later. You can listen to the podcast for an explanation of why it's been so long. These are our 2nd anniversary shows from April 2017.  Our readers are (their descriptions reflect their lives at the time of their reading): NIGHT TWO * Jahmal Cole Founder of My Block, My Hood, My City * Bridget Gainer Part-time pol, full-time Chicagoan, reader, mother & dual citizen * Lendon Sadler Activist & actor; performer, raconteur, unabashed lover * Kevin Coval Poet; community builder; artistic director, Young Chicago Authors* Kim Bellware Huffington Post reporter, bike adventurer and full-city wanderer Night One can be found earlier in this feed. Our next live show is Thursday, January 16th at Beverly Arts Center. Recorded on April 27th, 2017 at Beverly Woods Restaurant at 115th and Western Ave. Audio production and editing by Tim Mata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

It's the next episode of The Frunchroom podcast...18 months later. You can listen to the podcast for an explanation of why it's been so long. These are our 2nd anniversary shows from April 2017.  Our readers are (their descriptions reflect their lives at the time of their reading): NIGHT ONE * Ayana Contreras Radio host/producer, DJ and writer* Rodney Walker Author, educator, South Side native * Tom Cramer Blogger, 70s kid, craft beer geek, native South Sider * Daniel Kay Hertz Writer, reader, mapper, spreadsheeter * Sue Sadlowski Garza Alderwoman 10th Ward, CPS Counselor, Progressive Activist, Grandma Night Two can be found as the next episode in this feed. Our next live show is Thursday, January 16th at Beverly Arts Center. Recorded on April 26th, 2017 at Beverly Woods Restaurant at 115th and Western Ave. Audio production and editing by Tim Mata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

Recorded on the last night of the Obama administration, it's our first show of 2017. Sorry it took so long. Our readers are:* John Chatz (blogger, tech consultant, softball player and father to many)* Eric Charles May (writer, professor, Sox fan, native South Sider)* Robin Baumgarten (WGN Morning News anchor and lifetime South Sider)* L.D. Barnes (blogger, poet, mystery writer, essayist, wife and nerd)* Jamie Nesbitt Golden (journalist, mom, coffee-drinker, Buffy-expert). Recorded on January 19th, 2017 at Beverly Woods Restaurant at 115th and Western Ave. Full show notes at thefrunchroom.com. Audio production and editing by Tim Mata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance. Catch the next Frunchroom live show on Thursday, April 19th at Beverly Arts Center at 730pm.

It's a ladies' night edition of The Frunchroom. Our readers are: * Sheila Maloney (Mom, lawyer, professor, friend, wine enthusiast)* Eileen O’Connor (Blogger) * Katy Jacob (Writer, professional nerd, payments expert) * Eve Ewing (Essayist, poet, sociologist, editor, artist) * Mare Swallow (Writer, founder of Chicago Writers Conference, fan of gin, ukulele novice) This episode was recorded by Jaime Black of Dynasty Podcasts on September 27th, 2016 at Beverly Woods Restaurant at 115th and Western. (The restaurant was briefly closed, but has been purchased and re-opened by a new set of owners.) Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance. Our next Frunchroom live show is on Thursday, Aril 19th at Beverly Arts Center at 730pm. More details to follow.

Better late than never, it's our first anniversary show! * Tim Baffoe Sports columnist, high school teacher, former pizza driver, Ginger * Carrie Williams Editor, Tribune Content Agency; Writer, Daily Southtown * Angel Simmons Author, speaker, columnist, co-host of Do Not Submit – Englewood * Elaine Hegwood Bowen Writer * Bill Savage Editor, writer, Northwestern professor Recorded on April 21st, 2016 at O'Rourke's Office at 111th and Western Ave. Full show notes at thefrunchroom.com. Audio production and editing by @timlmata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

We're back! If you're wondering what happened to Volumes 2 and 3, you'll have to listen to find out. The readers: James Finn Garner Humorist, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories and Rex Koko, Private Clown Lolly Bowean Writer Grace Kuikman Editor, The Villager; Facilitator, Longwood Writers Guild Mario Parker Writer, Bloomberg News Andrew Huff  Founder, GapersBlock.com Recorded on January 21st, 2016 at O'Rourke's Office at 111th and Western Ave. Full show notes at thefrunchroom.com. Audio production and editing by @timlmata. Brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

This is the first episode of The Frunchroom, a storytelling series about the South Side of Chicago, brought to you by your host Scott Smith – a resident of Beverly/Morgan Park – and The Beverly Area Arts Alliance. The readers: * Adrienne Samuels Gibbs; writer, journalist, editor* Natalie Y. Moore; reporter, WBEZ, and author * Jen Sabella; deputy editor, DNAInfo Chicago * Dmitry Samarov; painter and writer * Chuck Sudo; writer/editor Recorded on April 16, 2015 at O'Rourke's Office at 111th and Western Ave. Full show notes at thefrunchroom.com. Audio production and editing by Tim Mata.